When Giving Thanks Isn’t Easy

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Holidays can be difficult and wonderful all at the same time. They are wonderful because we are with friends and family and they are difficult because some of those same people are no longer at our holiday table.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 ESV.

There are other life pressures that make being thankful just plain hard. Nothing seems to be going right, finances are tight, the job is unsteady at best, the world is in chaos and relationships are shaky.

Be thankful? For what?

  • When I feel like it?
  • When everything is going well?
  • When I am happy, upbeat and positive?
  • When my kids like me, my boss praises me and my wife still smiles when I enter the room?

Yes, be thankful when everything is going well.

And when it is not.

The Bible doesn’t tell us to thank God only when things are going perfect, it actually says, “In everything, give thanks.” In everything!

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus..” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

This scripture seems to sum it all up so well.

Worry about nothing, pray about everything. Thank Him for what He has done.

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If we believe the Word then look at that scripture again: Don’t worry, pray about everything, tell Him what you need and THANK HIM for what He has done.

And if you do that? Then you will experience God’s peace! The Bible says that peace is greater than anything we can understand! Will your circumstance change? Maybe not, but His peace will guard your heart and your mind as you live in Christ Jesus.

Wow.

We hear so much in this present world, when someone has a beautiful family, a job promotion, a new house, a new baby, and on and on and on: “You are so blessed.” And it is true, we never take lightly the good things in this life, we give God the praise in all things!

But does that mean that the one who is not experiencing good things, prosperity or over-abundance is NOT blessed of God?

I dare say, “No.”

when giving thanks isn't easy

These things, if not of our own doing, are just part of living in this sinful world. Bad things happen to good people but in all things, in everything, God is faithful and sovereign. He never changes and He is always fair and just.

So, on this National Day of Thanks, remember you might be sitting beside someone who is struggling, who has forgotten that they still have much to be thankful for, someone who is finding it isn’t easy to Give Thanks…this year.

Maybe they have lost a loved one and the chair beside them is empty. Possibly they are separated from their spouse or about to lose their job. Perhaps they are just fearful of world events.

Whatever the reason that Giving Thanks Isn’t Easy would you try to be an encouragement to them? Speak words of love and affirmation, remember that you have been in their shoes at some point and that God hasn’t forgotten them.

And if you, the reader, right now, are the one going through dark trials, can I tell you Jesus Loves You? He knows right where you are and loves you more than the sparrows that He takes care of every day. He will never, never leave you and never forsake you. There is comfort in His presence, in giving your needs and cares to Him and letting Him be your Burden Bearer.

He’s already paid the price for YOU and one day soon He will come back for YOU and take you to be with Him.

So even though Giving Thanks Isn’t Easy, there is power in praise and strength will come back to you. Remember what God has done in the past and thank Him. Then don’t forget to praise Him for what He is GOING TO DO!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends. Jesus will be rhere too.

Kingdom2

 

3 Steps to Help Doubt and Fear Disappear

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#FiveMinuteFriday!  Even though the word prompt is not in my title, 3 Steps to Help Doubt and Fear Disappear, it’s all over the 3 Steps! Be blessed and share away to encourage someone else.

It’s there. It looms in the background. Lurking, stalking, threatening to come back at any moment. You know it, you try to ignore it but it creeps, it saunters and before you know it you’re caught.

Doubt.

  • Uncertainty
  • Indecision
  • Hesitation
  • Suspicion
  • Confusion

And the ultimate…

Fear.

It’s the enemy’s business to keep us in this constant state: never progressing, never growing, never being all that God wants us to be in the Kingdom. It is not the will of God!

Take these 3 Steps to Help Doubt and Fear Disappear and apply them to your situation:

  • Praise and Quote Scripture

You may think it sounds elementary but friend, the Word of God is the  most powerful weapon on the planet! Take scriptures such as this one, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” Psalms 91:1, 2 NIV. (Actually the entire chapter of Psalm 91 is AMAZING.)

How is this for power: “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you…” Isaiah 54:16-17.

Speak it, claim it, put your name in it!

  • Praise and Stay faithful. 

It’s so important when you are spiritually discouraged or confused to keep praying, keep going to church, keep studying the Word of God. In other words, keep doing what you know to be right. Know where your strength comes from and remind yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord! Yes, there’s scripture for that! “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.…” Jude 1:20, 21.

  • Praise and Keep trusting God

Yes, it’s that simple but sometimes seems so difficult in the midst of the trial. Keep trusting God. Depend on Him, talk to Him, rely on Him and remind yourself of His promises. Remind yourself you are His child and every promise in that book belongs to you as a child of the King. He has never failed and He never will.

His timing may not be your timing but it is the RIGHT TIMING for you!

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“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” Psalms 12:5-6.

You notice how PRAISE proceeds each step? Praise is power. There is an old song we used to sing in church that goes,

“When the praises go up, the glory comes down.
Where sin used to dwell, grace now abounds.
There’s healing and hope, and love all around,
When the praises go up, the glory comes down.”

When you surrender, when you give Him glory, when you raise your hands to heaven and become a funnel for the power of God to come in and strengthen you, watch out! Your praise gets God’s attention, giving Him honor and acknowledging you recognize HE is all powerful and HE is in control, it is much easier to face difficult situations. Problems seem to fade as you allow the God of the universe to take over.

You can trust this God of ours.

Be encouraged and blessed as you praise God each and every day then those doubts and fears will disappear in Jesus’ name.

For the kingdom

 

When SHARING isn’t necessarily CARING

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#FiveMinuteFriday and the word prompt is SHARE. Today’s is a tough subject and I am preaching to ME! You all are welcome to listen in…

This isn’t just about gossip, although gossip is a huge problem.

This isn’t just about talking about our friends, family, co-workers, etc., but that is wrong too. We all are guilty.

I’m not just touching on the subject of “Oh, let me tell you about ‘Jim and Judy’ so you can ‘pray’ for them…”, when the time spent telling the prayer request could have been spent actually praying. Ouch.

I have been convicted over the time I have spent talking about needs or faults, and that time gets carried away and turns into counseling sessions where I think I can solve the other person’s problems…and they aren’t even there to benefit from my newly discovered knowledge.

The Lord reminded me of several things on the subject: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV. Meaning it could very easily be ME that needs the help the next time. It could be ME that my friends are talking about next. Take heed! Be careful who you are talking about this week…or as the saying goes that we see so much of lately…

“Don’t judge others just because they sin differently than you…”

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And this gem:

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5,6 NKJV.

Your gentleness. That seems Christ-like.  WWJD?

He would show mercy. He wouldn’t run and tell others. He would go straight to the one with the NEED. The one who had the problem. He would offer a helping hand.

What can we DO for them instead of talk about them? We can pray, make our requests known to God. Show them kindness, gentleness, love and extend mercy.

And if appropriate and necessary, go a step further:

  • Do they need assistance?
  • Do they need physical substance?
  • If the need is obvious, fill it!
  • If you aren’t sure, listen and let God tell you what to do.

The more I pray for the needs, and even sins, of my family, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in Christ, the less time I will have to pry and gossip.

I think HE will be more pleased with ME.

Be blessed.

Kingdom2